Pain & hope

Jan Becket says that despite the heavy political and cultural significance of the area, an exhibit of his photographs of Makua is "intended to be open-ended." "It's not intended to be polemic," he says. "It's for everyone."

"Makua Kahoolawe Makua," which opens today and continues through Sept. 21 at Kapolei Hale, features 40 black-and-white photographs by Becket, including 34 images of Makua and six of Kahoolawe. The show, sponsored by Ahahui Siwila Hawaii o Kapolei, travels to Honolulu Hale for a run Oct. 1 to 26.

"In terms of Makua, there's lots of discussion in the newspapers and by various political factions and people about the area, but most people don't have an image of what's there. I'm trying to provide a reality so that when we talk about Makua, people can see it's here we're talking about," he says.

"Maybe then the conversation can happen a little more easily."

COURTESY JAN BECKET
A kumu wai (freshwater spring) was reopened by Malama Makua after elderly former residents of the valley pointed out the location.

COURTESY JAN BECKET
A fire in 2005 destroyed much of Makua.

Becket says he's been visiting Makua with his camera since 2005, and calls the area visually interesting for its natural beauty and the contrasts of the cultural and military sites.

"The past and present are bumping up against each other," he says.

While the exhibit's images present Makua's current condition, the photographer says he's actually photographing Western culture through the documentation of Hawaiian cultural sites.

"The most interesting areas are the ones half-destroyed or with bits and pieces left of them. It's a very powerful visual metaphor for what's happening today," says Becket.

It's difficult to photograph the past, he says, but the images (including the Kahoolawe photographs, which he says "draw parallels") suggest the past and the interaction between the two cultures that "may not be too happy."

Becket believes that this clash might be a reason some folks are eager to do away with Hawaiian sites.

"It's kind of uncomfortable for people to realize that there were people here before us who maybe have a prior claim of some kind."

COURTESY JAN BECKET
One of three ahu (shrines) were built by Malama Makua for the makahiki each year and for cultural access. An ahu was constructed for each valley of Makua: Ko'iahi, Makua and Kahanahaiki.

COURTESY JAN BECKET
Sandbags were used to protect a series of imu (underground ovens) discovered in an archeological survey in 2003.

COURTESY JAN BECKET
Military vehicles can sometimes be seen in the valley.